Performance of M-Silicate and M-Polystyrene Sulfonate in Extraction of Carotenoids from Crude Palm Oil

AbstractFour polar adsorbents M-Silicates (M = Mg, Ca) and M-PSS (M = Mg, Ca; PSS = Polystyrenesulfonate) have been used to adsorb carotenoids from crude palm oil (CPO). The carotenoids from the adsorbents were desorbed by ethanol in a soxhlet extractor and collected in toluene which was placed together with ethanol in the soxhlet flask. The concentrations of the carotenoids in the aliquots, which were taken every 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 cycles from the toluene extract, was determined by PORIM method. It was found that generally the maximum carotenoids were obtained from the aliquot with 50 cycles. The extraction processes using Mg-silicate, Ca-silicate, Mg-PSS, Ca-PSS gave extract-A, B, C and D. The carotenoids extracted in extract-A, B, C and D was 62.24%, 43.46%, 38.02% and 78.02% respectively. All the extracts still contain free fatty acids (ca 4.47%). In order to reduce the free fatty acid from the extracts, the extract-A, B, C and D were then passed through reused M-Silicates and M-PSS adsorbents. The most carotenoids extracted from the extract were 96.56% from extract-D which had been further adsorb by Ca-silicate. The least was from extract-C which had been further adsorbed by Mg-PSS which was 49.70%. The maximum carotenoids recovery after adsorb extract-D with Ca-silicate was 71.78% and show the lowest free fatty acid content which was 0.3%

DEFINITION OF AN ADVANCED PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT CONTAINERS AS POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTICS

For decades, petroleum-based synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, have become one of the most appealing materials used for a wide variety of applications. Nevertheless, currently, conventional petroleum-based plastics represent a serious problem for global pollution because remain for hundreds of years in the environment when discarded. In order to reduce dependence on fossil resources, bioplastic materials are being proposed as safer and more sustainable alternatives. Bioplastics are bio-based and/or biodegradable materials, typically derived from renewable sources. Among different resources, food waste is attracting more and more attention in the research field of bioplastics’ production. The sources of food waste include household, commercial, industrial and agricultural residues. In fact, every year, around one-third of all food resources produced for human consumption are lost or wasted. Although European Union guidelines stated that food waste should preferentially be used as animal feed, in some cases, it became illegal because of disease control concerns and other times its nutritional value is very poor. On the other hand, the production of bioplastics from food waste is a renewable, sustainable process, in which materials are fabricated from carbon neutral resources, thus aligning itself with the principles of the circular bioeconomy. However, the conversion of fruit and vegetable by-products into eco-friendly materials with mechanical and hydrodynamic performances comparable to those of fuel-based plastics still remains a challenge. In this thesis, different approaches have been investigated for the valorization of fruit and vegetable wastes to produce low environmental impact materials, as a potential alternative to plastics with application in the field of food packaging. In the first section, apple waste and tomato peel by-products have been used as fillers to fabricate starch-based biocomposites. The mechanical characterization of the samples showed their suitability for covering purposes, since a ductile and soft behaviour was exhibited. In the second section, an avocado by-product extract has been incorporated to an ethyl cellulose matrix for the production of impregnated paper with enhanced durability. Since fruit wastes can contain potential pathogens and physical and chemical contaminants which can be released when used as additive for active packaging, a preliminary untargeted metabolomic characterization of the extract was conducted by LC-ESI(-)-Q Exactive-Orbitrap- MS/MS. The lipid components detected in the extract proved to be useful additives to improve paper hydrophobicity, preventing food browning and moisture loss. In general, the addition of all tested wastes (apple waste, tomato peel and avocado by-products) has proved to be useful to increase the biodegradability of the fabricated biomaterials. Hence, the environmental benefits associated with their recovery are proposed as a driving force to expand their further use for these purposes. The upcycling of food waste through the production of value-added products is an ideal and practical end use, allowing to save huge economic and energy losses

Biocomposites

Biocomposites are composite materials consisting of either a polymer matrix or a filler based on biological resources. They have been widely used in numerous applications such as storage devices, photocatalysts, packaging, furniture, biosensors, energy, construction, the automotive industry, and so on due to their great versatility and satisfactory performance. This book focuses on composites made from natural materials (natural fibers and biopolymers) and relates their physical, mechanical, electrical, structural, and biological characteristics as well as their potential applications in biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, and engineering

Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials

This reprint focuses on the effective removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from water and wastewater using unique freestanding polymeric-based methods. It also examines innovative green methods for efficiently reusing various solid waste products. In addition, several new eco-friendly hybrid materials are being reviewed in order to alleviate the problem of water pollution in novel, rapid, and efficient methods

Sterols mediate deadly messages in marine diatoms

The marine diatoms are unicellular algae that play an important ecological role in the global primary production These unicellular protists are able to survive and proliferate in a wide range of environmental conditions, by adapting their metabolism through mechanisms largely unknown. Understanding these processes is of great ecological interest and can have wide application in different biotechnological sectors.This thesis has identified for the first time the role of secondary metabolites with pro apoptotic effects in diatoms. In addition to the different tools that have been developed to carry out this study, the major outcome of this work concerns the first establishment of a cellular mechanism to control Programmed Cell Death in the lineage and the first direct elucidation of the biosynthesis in these organisms

Book of abstracts of the 10th International Chemical and Biological Engineering Conference: CHEMPOR 2008

This book contains the extended abstracts presented at the 10th International Chemical and Biological Engineering Conference - CHEMPOR 2008, held in Braga, Portugal, over 3 days, from the 4th to the 6th of September, 2008. Previous editions took place in Lisboa (1975, 1889, 1998), Braga (1978), Póvoa de Varzim (1981), Coimbra (1985, 2005), Porto (1993), and Aveiro (2001). The conference was jointly organized by the University of Minho, “Ordem dos Engenheiros”, and the IBB - Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering with the usual support of the “Sociedade Portuguesa de Química” and, by the first time, of the “Sociedade Portuguesa de Biotecnologia”. Thirty years elapsed since CHEMPOR was held at the University of Minho, organized by T.R. Bott, D. Allen, A. Bridgwater, J.J.B. Romero, L.J.S. Soares and J.D.R.S. Pinheiro. We are fortunate to have Profs. Bott, Soares and Pinheiro in the Honor Committee of this 10th edition, under the high Patronage of his Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic, Prof. Aníbal Cavaco Silva. The opening ceremony will confer Prof. Bott with a “Long Term Achievement” award acknowledging the important contribution Prof. Bott brought along more than 30 years to the development of the Chemical Engineering science, to the launch of CHEMPOR series and specially to the University of Minho. Prof. Bott’s inaugural lecture will address the importance of effective energy management in processing operations, particularly in the effectiveness of heat recovery and the associated reduction in greenhouse gas emission from combustion processes. The CHEMPOR series traditionally brings together both young and established researchers and end users to discuss recent developments in different areas of Chemical Engineering. The scope of this edition is broadening out by including the Biological Engineering research. One of the major core areas of the conference program is life quality, due to the importance that Chemical and Biological Engineering plays in this area. “Integration of Life Sciences & Engineering” and “Sustainable Process-Product Development through Green Chemistry” are two of the leading themes with papers addressing such important issues. This is complemented with additional leading themes including “Advancing the Chemical and Biological Engineering Fundamentals”, “Multi-Scale and/or Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Process-Product Innovation”, “Systematic Methods and Tools for Managing the Complexity”, and “Educating Chemical and Biological Engineers for Coming Challenges” which define the extended abstracts arrangements along this book. A total of 516 extended abstracts are included in the book, consisting of 7 invited lecturers, 15 keynote, 105 short oral presentations given in 5 parallel sessions, along with 6 slots for viewing 389 poster presentations. Full papers are jointly included in the companion Proceedings in CD-ROM. All papers have been reviewed and we are grateful to the members of scientific and organizing committees for their evaluations. It was an intensive task since 610 submitted abstracts from 45 countries were received. It has been an honor for us to contribute to setting up CHEMPOR 2008 during almost two years. We wish to thank the authors who have contributed to yield a high scientific standard to the program. We are thankful to the sponsors who have contributed decisively to this event. We also extend our gratefulness to all those who, through their dedicated efforts, have assisted us in this task. On behalf of the Scientific and Organizing Committees we wish you that together with an interesting reading, the scientific program and the social moments organized will be memorable for all.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT